Michael Schumacher in critical condition following skiing accident

[sako97]

Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is in a critical condition after a skiing accident, says the French hospital treating him.

The 44-year-old German suffered serious brain trauma, was in a coma on arrival and underwent a brain operation.

He was skiing off-piste with his son in the French Alps on Sunday when the accident occurred.

Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, his manager Sabine Kehm said.

Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening and he reportedly walked away from the accident complaining only of feeling a bit shaken.

The accident took place in the French ski resort of Meribel on Sunday morning.

The resort's director, Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, said Schumacher was attended to by two ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby valley town of Moutiers.

He was subsequently moved to the bigger facility at Grenoble, in south-east France. His wife Corinna and two children are with him.

"Mr Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40 [11:40 GMT], following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning," the Grenoble hospital said in a statement.

"He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation."

The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director, reports said.

A hospital official declined to give more details and said more information would be given out on Monday, said Reuters news agency.

Experts say it is likely that his brain began to swell and the urgent surgery was required to relieve the pressure, says the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris.

Stellar career
The German, who is due to turn 45 on 3 January, retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.

Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Schumacher, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital.

The retired race driver was reportedly conscious when he was airlifted to hospital

Prof Saillant is an expert in brain and spine injury. He oversaw Schumacher's medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP.

Schumacher won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during a 19-year career in Formula 1.

He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.

The German retired in 2006, but returned in 2010 with Mercedes. After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of 2012.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25545993

 

[MoSs]

Horrible news

 

[330CIZHP]

Very tragic.

Hope he gets well soon. Prayers for his wife and kids for patience.

 

[Monster]

Shocking news, his injury didn't appear as serious as it is now, I wish he wins this fight and make a full recovery. At 44, he is still much too young to die or spent the rest of his life confined to a wheelchair.

 

[Sunny]

My well wishes are with him, hope he recovers fully.

 

[LaArtist]

Seems pretty serious..i thought it was a minor thing to start with..

I really hope he pulls through..

 

[marley71]

So sad..so sorry to hear.

 

[Bartek S.]

Very sad.. I hope Michael will get well soon.

 

[Merc1]

OMG...terrible news.

M

 

[Deleted member 25]

First time in my life i am really pissed off to hear something terrible about a celb. Come on michael, win this battle champ.

 

[martinbo]

Come on Schumi, pull through.

 

[Wunderkind]

Michael should pull through. He's as fit and as tough as they come.

 

[Human]

Hang in there my dear icon. You're in our prayers and may you recieve strength and recover to the fit, most dedicated talent you are.

 

[fortuner]

Don't know what to say its reminding me of the day when the Late Senna passed I remember that day as a sad day in life.Please Schummie fite.

 

[Monster]

Just a little update, condition has not improved or deteriorated. Of all the people in this world, Michael is the one I lest expected to have this happened to them. He just seem so invincible on the track.


Schumi 'fighting for his life'

Michael Schumacher "is fighting for his life" and remains in a medically induced coma after suffering head trauma in a ski accident.

The seven-time World Champion fell and hit his head on a rock while skiing with his son at Meribel on Sunday morning.

Airlifted to the University Hospital of Grenoble, he underwent neurosurgical intervention and was placed in a medically induced coma.

His doctors, including Professor Jean-Francois Payen, held a press conference on Monday to update the world on Schumacher's condition.

"I'd say this accident happened in the right place because he was taken into hospital immediately and operated on as soon as he arrived," said Payen.

"Everything that needed to be done has been done at the moment we can't really say when he will recover, we cannot answer this yet.

"We can say he is fighting for his life. We judge him to be in a very serious situation.

"We cannot tell what the outcome will be yet. We are working hour-by-hour but it's too early to say what is going to happen and to have a prognosis.

"We think his helmet did help, without a helmet he wouldn't be here now."

The doctor denied rumours that a second operation had taken place overnight and in fact ruled out Schumacher needing one at present.

"We don't intend to carry about a second operation, we don't feel it is necessary at the moment," he said.

The doctor revealed that he had clots, bruising and swelling to his brain.

"We are in contact with his family who are at his bedside," he added.

Schumacher remains in a medically induced coma "under general anesthetic."

Ross Brawn and Jean Todt have reportedly been to the hospital to visit their former driver.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/9094030/Schumacher-Fighting-For-His-Life-

 

[MoSs]

My prayers are with schumi.

 

[mini_cooper4]

C'mon fighter win that 8th title!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My prayers are with you, my idol!

 

[chonkoa]

Come on Michael this is one fight you can't afford to lose.
My thoughts are prayers are with the Schumacher family.

 

[Deckhook]

Its ironic to think that in all his years in all forms of Motorsport it was an accident in retirement that proved to be his most lethal.

My thoughts are with him and his family.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Just shocked by this. You know in the back of your mind we are all mortal, but dominance such as his often cloud that reality. I really hope he pulls through.